Los Angeles Clippers Should Celebrate the Old Commissioner
Getty Images
Many NBA fans speculate why the Los Angeles Clippers are finally a consistently winning franchise for the first time since moving to LA in 1984. Doc Rivers is the main person given credit for the turn-around of the team that was once the laughing stock of the league. While I agree that Rivers is a great coach, I don’t know if he’s the real reason the Clippers have had success. Some fans credit the GM, Dave Wohl, for getting the right players on the roster, but the person who deserves the most credit is David Stern.
In 2011, when former Commissioner Stern vetoed the trade that the (then) New Orleans Hornets wanted to make with the Los Angeles Lakers involving Chris Paul, it opened the door for the Clippers to make a trade for Paul, and did they ever. Stern’s trade veto essentially set up the change of the structure of pro basketball in Los Angeles. Franchise momentum literally switched locker rooms, like an eager reporter on a deadline. Never before in the history of the league have we seen power change so drastically between teams that share the same city — and arena.
Stern’s decision also led to a generational divide in fan allegiance in Los Angeles. While parents still standby the old Lakers out of loyalty, their kids now prefer the more hip Clippers. This was unheard of before, (in my serious voice) “The LA Decision.”
Ask the youth of Los Angeles, they’re Clippers fans now. In a time when people forget what happened yesterday (quickly), Kobe Bryant’s five rings are getting more and more tarnished each year that he and the Lake Show don’t make the playoffs. Chris Paul is even more popular than the aging Kobe. Lakers’ Showtime has nothing on the fast-paced dunk fest that the Clippers dazzle us with game after game.
Los Angeles will truly be a Clipper city in about five more years. That will be approximately a decade of the Clippers being better than the Lakers. I think it’s safe to assume that the Clipper organization sends David Stern the most deluxe of gift baskets every Hanukkah, it’s the least they could do.
Spurs Grooming Anderson With Demotion
The San Antonio Spurs should be reaping the rewards from their latest move for years to come. See how the Spurs continue to make themselves better. Read More
Lakers' Defense Better Without Boozer
The Los Angeles Lakers showed signs of an improving defense against the Denver Nuggets despite the loss. Read More
Golden State Warriors Resilient Against OKC
The Warriors proved they can withstand poor shooting and injuries to Andrew Bogut against the Thunder. Read More
Grizzlies Continue to Shoot Well
The Memphis Grizzlies have been playing very well offensively this season, and Sunday night was no different in their win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Read More
Pelicans Should Trade Austin Rivers
The New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to elevate their game this season, but they need to let go of Austin Rivers for that to happen. Read More
Shannon Brown Deserves More Playing Time With Heat
The Miami Heat should give Shannon Brown more minutes to help them get out of this rut. Read More
Memphis Grizzlies Should Trade Beno Udrih
Since the Memphis Grizzlies are currently on top of the league, they should strongly consider trading Beno Udrih. Read More
Bucks Should Consider Trading Ersan Ilyasova
Even though Ersan Ilyasova is starting to improve his game this season, the Bucks should strongly consider trading him in 2014-15. Read More
Orlando Magic Should Trade Ben Gordon
Ben Gordon has rejuvenated his career with the Orlando Magic. Should the team consider trading him? Read More
Pelicans Are Back On The Right Track
The New Orleans Pelicans are back on track after beating the Utah Jazz and they could be a serious contender this season. Read More
Knicks, 76ers are Both Dysfunctional
If there’s one thing the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers had going a game on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, it is that both are bad NBA teams and just proved to be worse. Read More
Suns Must Get Over Unimpressive Wins
The Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns' game was set to be an interesting matchup, but when Roy Hibbert left the game with an ankle sprain, the Suns took advantage. How bad was the damage? Read More